The misfortune of one proved to be a disaster for many. There was no better way to describe what happened to Zoran's squad. But every Keeper had to be prepared for a crisis. Those who could not withstand even a few minutes of chaos were already dead.
Kain and Lurra ran among the dark columns, sharp rocks were in their way, but they couldn't stop.
"Shit, this is bad." Lurra turned around to see two phantoms coming after them.
The columns shuddered as the Stray Specter came out, about to reach the other side.
The phantom swept through the Stray Specter, tearing it apart. They weren't as strong as Zoran, but Lurra certainly wasn't capable of killing them.
Kain narrowed his eyes. "We need a plan. I have two artifacts. They look strong and fast, but they're hardly as durable. If we deal with at least one, it'll be easier to escape, right?"
"Yeah..." Lurra nodded with an astonished look at him. "You know how to think coldly during a battle. That's commendable, Kain."
Well, it was partly a credit to his Trait.
BAM!
A flaming explosion behind them forced them to glance back. Zoran was fighting against the Baarko, blocking the massive creature's black lightning bolts and tearing its flesh apart. It was far away, but Kain couldn't see anything. Zoran was moving too fast.
Fast, but the plan was set.
The crimson field appeared in front of the first phantom - it was going to attack.
"Now!" Lurra exclaimed as she and Kain dashed forward, hiding behind rocks to the left and right.
The phantom crashed straight into the ground, raising a cloud of dust. A bright red light showed through the veil, not from the phantom's eyes but from the amulet clutched tightly in Kain's hand.
Bloody chains burst from the ground, shackling the overly confident monster. It tried to get out, easily breaking the weak links of the chains.
Still, that was enough time.
Slash.
Kain swung his dagger, using its enchantment. The crimson blade swept forward, leaving a vertical red line on the phantom. Such an artifact could not kill a creature of such power.
Lurra appeared from behind as she swung her hand twice.
"Die!"
A white cross imprinted itself on the phantom. Lurra aimed directly at the wound. In a flash of light, the cross tore the phantom apart. A few abilities, a plan, and artifacts, but victory was theirs.
"Hell yeah!" Lurra exclaimed joyfully like a child.
She clenched her fist tightly with a wide grin. "You did good, Kain!"
Kain's corners of his mouth went up before freezing in horror.
The crimson shadow swept through her, leaving nothing but bloody scatters above her waist, only her fist falling to the ground in front of Kain's trembling eyes.
Just a second ago, she was alive.
Even Kain, with his Traits, had a hard time staying calm.
Grh...
The second phantom's wheeze made him turn around. It was slowly moving towards him, wanting to take his life.
Run - that was the only thought running through Kain's mind.
He did so, running as fast as he could through the sharp stones and trembling columns. His eyes turned red, only that helped him avoid several phantom charges.
At the same moment, Sylvia's light beam crashed into the phantom along with Georg's stone fist. The phantom's fragile frame shuddered when Moriba appeared from behind. Three black streaks from her sword cut the phantom into shreds.
"Great! Another one fell!" Sylvia's eyes lit up.
Morbia looked around, on guard.
'Kain, where are you? If you die now after all you've been through, it won't be fucking funny.'
"Come on!" Georg waved his hand. "Just because we killed one phantom doesn't mean anything! Hurry up, the border is close!"
The other pairs moved at a similar pace, but many died. Mostly youths, but Lurra wasn't the only one of the older Keepers.
One mistake had cost her a life. On the battlefield, one could never relax for a moment. Even after becoming a Keeper, she hadn't learned that lesson.
Morbia's eyes ran over the survivors, but she couldn't see Kain or Lurra.
'Shit, where are they? Did they really get ambushed? But, there's no way I can help him,' she turned over her shoulder to see the phantoms chasing them. 'Well, Kain, if you want to survive, you're going to have to figure something out. It's the only way in our world, adapt or die.'
Bam. Bam. Bam.
Zoran was bouncing off the columns, unleashing flaming punches at the Baarko. The monster tried to grab him with its long arms, but Zoran was too fast.
Dashing through the gaps, he clenched his fist tightly, creating a flash of flame directly at the Baarko's palm.
GHRRROOOO!!!
A painful howl echoed through the chasm. The Baarko held onto the wrist of his severed hand.
"Hey, I thought you were more serious than those weaklings you brought along with you." Zoran snorted, slowly moving forward.
Baarko's black eyes stared at Zoran, wanting to scorch him.
Electric shocks ran through the dark horns, yet there was no fear in Zoran's eyes. He only pointed his hand at the Baarko.
"That's all? Pathetic."
A bolt of lightning struck Zoran as the threads of flame turned into five stars in a row. A green fire blast swept through the lightning and Baarko's head, leaving a wide gaping hole in the white mask.
Thump.
The Baarko's body crumbled to the ground as the last bit of energy from the Surge faded away.
"Damn, this isn't the expedition I was hoping for." Zoran scratched the back of his head. "Well, it's a good thing I was here, or no one would have come back alive."
Suddenly, something made Zoran turn around.
"What the hell...?" he stammered.
In the distance, a lone flash showed up, runes unrelated to the Surge came up with a purpose.
"Right now?"
Slash.
The phantom's claws swept in front of Kain's chest, leaving three bloody streaks.
Kain didn't know where he was running to, the phantom chased him into the deepest parts of the Faint Chasm. All he could do was desperately retreat, each time with a new wound.
"No!"
At the next phantom's charge, Kain fell as his back crashed into the wall.
In the crimson shadow, the phantom swept in front of him, soaring in the air for the final charge.
Kain tried to activate the Codex, to do something, but it was too late.
At the next heartbeat, the phantom would pierce him. He would meet the same fate as Lurra.
Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.
At the same moment, space shook. Runes surrounded Kain, transforming into a majestic door.
Blue light fell on his face as the door opened, revealing nothing but darkness on the other side.
The world stopped waiting for Kain's decision.
His first call of the Arcane Scripture arrived.